How was your weekend? If you’re doing the conscious closet challenge it’s time to check-in and share what you’ve learned! Just a reminder, to be eligible to win one of the 8 made-in-the-US prizes as part of the giveaway, you MUST FIRST leave your email address in the form on the original Conscious Closet Challenge post, then check in on THIS post with what you learned your week of being more conscious about your wardrobe. I will give everyone the week to submit their comments and choose the winners on FRIDAY MAY 1.
So, I’ll start. Besides the fact that I became acutely aware that I still have too many clothes, and would like to have less (much more on that in coming posts!), I came to terms with the fact that I may have focused too much time/energy on made-in-the-US.
What do I mean?
It’s not all about made in the US. To be completely honest, I’ve latched on to “made in the US” because it’s easy. It’s easier to think that “made in the US” means better working conditions, higher wages, smaller companies/designers, etc., and most of the time, it actually DOES. But it leaves out workers, designers and companies in the rest of the world. Do they not deserve to have a higher living standard? a living wage? a good place to work and support their families? Of course they do, and like it or not, the American apparel industry’s exporting jobs overseas has shifted the economic balance of power so that more nations around the world have more diversified industries, and their citizens have more choice about where to work and how to earn a living. And many of them do make a better living working in factories than they would have otherwise.
Absolutely the system is not perfect. Far from it. Working standards in many of these countries are appalling. And we should be ashamed that American companies would engage in practices in other countries they wouldn’t dare get away with in the US. Of course, that is not the case for many companies and production facilitates overseas; companies like Everlane work hard to be transparent about their factories and working standards, raising them so that workers in China can have the same standard of living as workers in the US.
There is still so much work to be done on this issue. And I need to learn a lot more about it. Which is why I will admit that I’ve taken the easy “way out” to a certain extent by preferring to stick with made in the US. The truth is that all human beings, all people who work, deserve to earn a living wage if they are working 8-10 hours a day, no matter where they live. Why do I give deference to American workers? It’s emotional, for sure. I like to feel closer to the companies I support, and I’m sicked by stories of factory conditions in countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam.
The truth is that all human beings, all people who work, deserve to earn a living wage if they are working 8-10 hours a day, no matter where they live.
It’s easy to say, “okay, so I won’t support companies who produce in those countries by buying their products.” But that will never solve the problem. It’s sort of like not opening bills that come in the mail and thinking they will just disappear and you’ll never have to pay them. Consumers have power, we wield that power by buying and not buying, by putting our money where our mouths are. But just looking at the tag and seeing where a garment is made, and making a buying decision based only on that is a very small part of what we can do to influence change. It IS a part, no doubt, but there is so much more.
Knowledge is power. The more we know about all stages of clothing manufacturing, not just what country the factory is in, the better decisions we can make about what we should buy. Sure, it aligns with my values to buy made in the US, because at a basic level, I know I’m supporting local businesses (most of the time) who are paying workers fairly and adhering to environmental guidelines. Again…those things (wages, labor practices, etc) may not be perfect, or exactly where we think they should be right now, but if they’re not, we know that we can change them, by being more active and voting. Because we live in a democracy. A Republic, really, but still…
Ultimately, I still believe that buying made in the US is a very good thing. I do it because I also like to support small, independent designers here, some of whom I actually know personally. I like to identify with my clothing, know the story and the people behind it. But, now, I know I need to be even MORE conscious of my clothing, beyond where it is made.
Thanks to Lisa for reminding me of this Instagram over the weekend, in the gracious way only Lisa can:
good American business practices are our best tool in making the world better for as many workers as possible
And to my husband who, while he likes to just disagree with me, also makes good points š My made in the US “mission” was missing something, and left out a big part of what I believe: I am not an isolationist, I am a globalist, and support everyone’s right to live with dignity and financial stability, wherever they live. I also believe in the power of the free market (done right) and in the ability, even of individuals, to use politics and economics to influence change to make the whole world better. I have that power, we all have that power, and it’s about more than just choosing to buy made in the US.
Now. Your turn. What have you learned this week on your conscious closet challenge?
*aside from the fact that Zady is a Grechen’s Closet partner, they did a PHENOMENAL job last week with Fashion Revolution Day activities, writing op-eds, and generally just getting the word out about their mission to get us to think more about where our clothes come from. Which is mine as well. Please check out their site for a wonderful selection of conscious products, and their Facebook page for links to everything they did/wrote last week. And this infographic they produced for Refinery29? Brilliant.
Great comment, Grechen.
I’m teaching a new course on consumption and through some experts on consumption I’ve learned buying made in the US, fair trade etc isn’t always the best path towards ethical consumption.
I am also constantly questioning my own shopping habits!
I learned that I really do have a distinct “look” and no matter how hard I try or how much money I spend on new clothes, I still tend to only wear black jeans and black sweaters and tops, with pops of something different every now and then. Really knowing myself and my style will definitely help me pare down in the future, and eliminate a lot of the superfluous items in my wardrobe.
Great challenge!
thanks for sharing caroline – that’s such an important lesson, and one of the hardest ones to really come to terms with. i’m not even sure i’m there yet…every time i think i’ve nailed it, something crazy catches my eye!! just not as often as it used to i guess š
I decided to challenge myself to wear (or use in the case of bags) one thing everyday that I hadn’t worn in a while. And some of the things I hadn’t thought of wearing were actually great. My discovery is that what I wear on an everyday basis isn’t always based on what’s “really me” or “fits my lifestyle,” but often a kind of whatever’s easiest rut. SO instead of shopping after I simplify, which was the original plan, I’m going to shop in my closet and mix things up a little.
good one!! i’ve been trying to do this as well, make myself wear things i wouldn’t normally. it’s harder than you think it’s going to be, and i have been sort of lazy lately with it, but it’s a wonderful learning tool.
thanks for sharing!
I’m still learning more about the “made in Italy” label but wanted to jot down three things I learned this week initially. It’s more in-depth on my blog but (1) I learned that clearance racks are not my friend, (2) I’m better off buying what I love rather than trying to fill that need/desire with 4 or 5 similar, cheaper items, and (3) I need to purge items from my closet when they no longer fit my lifestyle. The same goes for buying new items…they need to fit into the lifestyle I have.
My full post devoted to this is here: http://caseofconsumption.com/conscious-closet-challenge-update/
I’m so glad I took the challenge.
CourtneyĀ“s last blog post ..The Conscious Closet Challenge: An Update
In dealing with wardrobe pruning and currently owning only 2 (identical!) pairs of jeans that fit, I’ve learned that I am very much not content with 1-2 options. I try to temper this need for variety with secondhand purchasing and opting for ethically produced items where I can afford them. This challenge has me thinking about consciously upping the percentage of those kinds of purchases in the future. I try to be environmentally and socially conscious in other areas of my life, so why am I not holding myself to that where clothes are concerned? It’s time.
I still have too many clothes too. And I love white shirts and blouses but I always end up with yellow armpit stains (sorry TMI ) so I hate to spend too much money on a shirt that won’t last very long. Otherwise, I’m in.
Yes, yes, and yes. Everything I buy on clearance is fueled by that “but it’s such a great deal” mentality. And I hear you on the buying 4-5 mediocre substitutes instead of the one thing I REALLY like.
Hi Grechen,
I haven’t really taken the challenge but through your blog and a comment you made on your last post, I discovered http://www.paris-to-go.com/ and read through most of her wardrobe posts. As extreme as her wardrobe is compared to mine, it has seriously inspired me to challenge why I think I need as much as I have, especially when I have also managed to thrift a couple of very high-end things (2 Narciso Rodriguez dresses that can serve me throughout spring/summer and fall/winter, separately) and my best bag is one I bought used almost 15 years ago – why do I buy anything? If a very fashion-aware, FT-working 20something in PARIS can get by on 1 pair of J. Brands, why can’t I, as someone working PT with a kid, way older – and already owning those same jeans?? I don’t shop nearly as often as most people around me, and am dealing with my postpartum body, but still – I want for nothing, clothes-wise. Why don’t I just opt out, shop through my belongings, and recycle or donate items to cut down on stress and maintenance of what I do have?
Before I sound even more one-note: it’s ironic that I read your post and then her site the day after I got a shipment from Uniqlo – I bought ‘selvedge jeans’ from the Ines De La Fressange label. They were on sale, and I like them and have worn them two times, and had them on WHILE I was reading your but the fabric around the buttonhole is coming apart. I’ve decided to keep and mend that myself, instead of what I would have done before – exchanged for a perfect pair.
I’m not ready to Marie Kondo my life but your post and link have really hit me in a good way. I also wrapped up my Pure Barre classes — I can’t buy more at the moment but I will miss it. I am stronger than I thought. Thanks for your PB support!
Well, I’m a definite work in progress, but at least I’ve started! I blogged about the challenge (http://goo.gl/AgK8hW), but the highlights are that I spent about four hours in my closet on Saturday night and am getting rid of about five garbage bags worth of stuff, whether it’s being trashed, consigned or donated. I’m having a lot of guilt about getting rid of some of it, but trying to be more honest with myself about what really works for me. I’m now focusing on making better/smarter decisions going forward so I don’t have to feel guilty in a year when it’s time to clean out my closet again! Thanks for doing this, Grechen.
Jessica @ Beautify My LifeĀ“s last blog post ..Taking on the Conscious Closet Challenge
i am so in awe of ariana’s lifestyle (paris-to-go) and have been incredibly inspired by her. i know i’m just not there yet. i cannot IMAGINE living with only one pair of jeans!! (two pairs, not one…)
and so interesting you mentioned your bag – i pulled out one of my favorite bags, and my oldest bag (not 15 years old, maybe 5-6) yesterday and asked myself THE SAME QUESTION you did – why do i buy anything else?? i’ll talk more about that in my outfit post tomorrow, but seriously, i am so frustrated with myself sometimes. ..
yay for pure barre! i’m so glad you did it – keep your eye out for specials at your studio, they often do summer ones, or back-to-school deals. i know it’s really expensive š
This is a great post. Grechen I have a question – related to the directive above to buy only silk, cotton, wool, and natural fabrics, etc. — I recently liked and bought a pair of pants from Splendid made out of tencel. They feel somewhat like silk but I imagine are easier to deal with/care for (?) – and I have kids so that is important to me. But I don’t know, have never bought tencel pants before – what is your opinion of this fabric? I like that Splendid is made in USA and am also curious about what the comment above is about by the person who says buying “made in USA” is not always good. Would be curious to know exactly why. Thanks!
tencel is interesting actually – and quite durable: here’s more info. i don’t have a problem, generally, with some man-made fibers like tencel (lyocell), rayon, or bamboo, but i HAVE found that over the years, my cotton and/or linen pieces hold up FAR better and longer. i’ll look into and report back on different fabrics in another post. but I think i know the general pants you got, and i had a similar pair – my problem with them was that they stretched out LIKE CRAZY. which tends to be the case with tencel, rayon, and crepe jersey materials.
are you talking specifically about farha’s comment? i’ve actually asked her to maybe do a guest post, or interview on her research and what she’s learned about ethical consumption. she’s a socialogist and teaching a class on consumption this quarter! i’m fascinated!! i’m not sure what exactly she was referring to, but i was under the impression that it was similar to what i mentioned in this post – just that it’s not EVERYTHING we should be concerned about. you know?
What I’ve learned through this challenge is how little I actually need and wear. I’m really a one hit wonder, once I find a few combinations that work for me I just wear them over and over again. After reducing 60% of my wardrobe the beginning of this year, I still don’t wear everything. I tallied up all the small designer vs. high street brands I own yesterday and I currently have 48 designer and 19 high street items. Before my big purge, the ratio was definitely more 1:1.
This challenge really got me thinking about where materials are sourced and how much labour is involved in producing natural fabrics. Something can be 100% cotton or linen and made in france but is the cotton produced in Africa? Were the workers there being paid a decent wage to grow and pick the cotton? Was the cotton directly exported to Western Europe or more likely sent to a poorer country in Eastern Europe like Romania or Lithuania where labour is cheaper to have it treated. I think there is not enough info out there informing consumers how a roll of fabric is made and all the variables that’s involved. The more I find out, the less I am tempted to buy.
I would love to buy more sustainably made clothing items but I wear a size 18. Most of the brands you suggest consider a size 12 an XL. The only brand I’ve found that I can wear is Eileen Fisher, whose XL is a 16/18. They also have a plus size line. Sadly, EF is fairly expensive. It is hard to build a wardrobe from only highly reduced selections.
Can you suggest other brands? Since more than 50% of American women are a size 14 or larger, conscious closets are going to be difficult for many of us.
I’ve learned SO many lessons this week….about why I shop, what I like to shop for (Can you say “Stripeaholic”?!?), how shopping makes me feel when I click “purchase” and when the item arrives at my door…only to lead to regret when I realize how much money I’ve spent. Shopping has been something I do to fill a need, and I know that it doesn’t work that way! I want to shop in a “healthy way,” if that makes sense.
I’ve taken some really solid steps to ensure that in the future, I will shop for the needs in my wardrobe. That doesn’t mean they have to be boring or utilitarian items, but rather that the things I buy will be the BEST that I can afford, will bring me JOY, and will WORK with other clothing in my closet. I have also decided that I do much better when I shop at local boutiques instead of shopping online. I found way too many pairs of pants with the tags still on, and that was because I didn’t try them on. It was sickening, in fact.
So, I have to finish my project, which is divided into donate/consign/toss piles. And I vow to myself to keep on doing the difficult self-work that comes with letting go. It surprised me to discover how much meaning I was imparting to my clothes. And they’re just THINGS! It’s been hard, but it’s been a good week. And when I’m done, I’m sending you a pic of the finished project. That’s my pledge to myself!
Number 2 is HUGE for me! The differing quality of my pieces really jumped out at me.
Same problem here, Jana! I’m still not sure why that happens to some people and not others.
I’ve learned that being frugal (buying what is less expensive) may benefit me, but may have collateral damage that affects people I don’t see or know, animals, water, earth. I’ve learned that sometimes it is going to cost me (time, money) to do less harm. I can offset that by cutting down my quantity.
I learned I save my favorites for … who knows when? I have an ill-founded fear of wearing things out when I might need them later. It’s time to actually wear the clothes and shoes I love! (even if that means they get ruined?!)
Your challenge gave me the incentive I needed to purge my closet. Bags of shoes and clothing went to a local Big Brothers/Big Sisters thrift store. Now I’m aiming to make it through the summer with no new clothes. Thanks!
My understanding of this subject continues to evolve. I have learned that I have used “Made in the USA” as an excuse to keep buying and spending, even though I certainly don’t NEED most of these items. While I truly believe all of us should be aware of the back story of our clothing (a background post on Vince was very revealing to me!), it should not give ME the excuse to continue in my materialistic ways. I love clothes, but the fact that I have the financial freedom to decide not only what to wear, but which of 20 dresses in my closet to wear, and which brand of dress to buy in the first place, is convicting. Thank you for your crusade!
excellent point lee! i did a post on this many years ago at my eco-fashion site (now shut down), so it’s time for an update!! it’s on the agenda. but in the meantime, i found etsy to be a GREAT resource for cusp/plus-size eco-friendly fashions – search for hemp, for example. or “made in the US”
Here are my thoughts:
I love shopping! However I have determined that it is not the actual new purchase I enjoy but the process. I love walking the mall {esp. in July when it’s 110 degrees outside}. I love being able to relax with a cup of coffee and read a magazine in the bookstore. I love trying on new styles and silhouettes that different designers offer. I get joy from trying on something unexpected and it looks good. I get intrigued about how sizes vary in the different stores and analyze how that affects my perception of myself.
Does this mean I need to make a purchase? I have finally evolved so that the answer is no! I can receive joy from the steps and process and not the act of purchasing!
Thank you for helping your readers in this process to become more mindful not only with purchasing but with everything we do!
(Reposting from your original post on this topic, because I misread the instructions!)
I found myself hyper aware of my closet. Though Iāve made an effort to purchase more ethical things over the past several years, I was so happy to realize that many of the things I wear regularly are produced with regard to people and planet. I was also hyper aware of the things that werenāt, like a pair of Gap loafers I knew I shouldnāt have bought. Iām trying to live with the knowledge that Iām human and imperfect, but make better choices moving forward.
I totally agree that we need to embrace globalization and find ways to support ethical manufacturing everywhere.
I also capped off the week by modeling in a local fashion show. It was so fun to support local designers who produced their items in this region.
Leah WiseĀ“s last blog post ..warm days ahead: an ethical wishlist
I’ve gone in a bit of a different direction. I love spreadsheets and goals, so I’m working on reducing my cotst/wear of my clothes and shoes. I have a 5-digit figure invested in my current wardrobe (I have a great job and money is not an issue). I just decided I don’t need any new clothes. My goal through the summer is to wear the items I’ve already bought by decreasing the cost/wear by 30%. I’m trying not to buy anything and get rid of things that I don’t like to identify any gals to later fill.
What I learned is that I hardly have anything made in the U.S. but I have a super minimalist closet. I have very few clothing items. I also realized I have to stick to buying ONLY what I love and what I can combine with everything else I already own. I also realized I’m more of a monochrome dresser. I hardly have any color in my wardrobe. I feel myself and comfortable in neutrals. I also need clothing items that are effortless. I’m all about practical and comfy.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with cotton and linen, they’re my preferred fabrics, but I sometimes feel guilty about cotton because of how energy intensive it is, and curious about tencel, lyocell, etc. The closed loop man-made fibers are really hard to find in thrift stores, so I have no experience with them- something to keep in mind in case I do run across them one of these days…
Hi Grechen. I’ve made a number of changes to my wardrobe following the advice in your blog. I’ve accepted I continue to shop for a life I don’t have! I had several LBD’s from Phase Eight (uklabel). They all feature a spanx like slip & as I’m a housewife who lives in black stretchy yoga clothes that were all washed out looking, I bravely cut out the slips & now have several comfortable tunics to wear with leggings. I did save 1 silk LBD for formal use.
Regarding summer clothes i decided a capsule of floaty silk scarf tops, silk blouses & white skinny jeans were all I needed. All the remaining items were donated.
Without blogs like yours I don’t think I could have crystallised my thoughts this way, so a big Thankyou
This challenge has been interesting to think about. I’ve been living in Rome this year and brought over 1.5 (that’s one and a half, not fifteen!) duffle bags worth of clothes (plus a huge Le Creuset pot. But that’s another story) for weather ranging from 32 degrees to 105 degrees. I think I brought over the right things because I haven’t bought any new clothes except for two scarves. And I’ve worn everything I brought. I love the boots I have and even in the land of amazing shoes I resoled my boots twice (the cobblestones are killer here) instead of buying new.
However in the spirit of your Earth Day challenge I thought about what I might like to add to my wardrobe. One thing I didn’t bring was a spring bag – crossbody and not to big, but big enough to hold my daily stuff. So I rather impulsively bought one from Il Bisonte – a made in Italy brand and a favorite of mine. I have a few Il Bisonte bags that I still use regularly, the oldest of which is 27 years old. I figure that’s pretty sustainable. (Hmmm, if I keep bags that long maybe I should trade up to Hermes…)
I’ve learned that shopping consciously takes a lot of thought and effort! It has also made me very aware of what items in my closet were not ethically manufactured. It is so easy to mindlessly grab things that seem like a great bargain just for the sake of getting a bargain (which I have been guilty of doing in the past). I am slowly learning how to think about what went into the manufacture of the item and how it will fit into my life. Between this challenge and John Oliver’s segment about fast fashion this week, I have pledged to cut fast fashion out of my life completely. It’s really been an enlightening week.
Grechen, thank you for responding in this patented Grechen-thoughtful way. I used to work for a company with HQ in both California and China, That time really made to clear to me that humans are humans, despite the policies of their nation-states. Americans often fall prey to jingoism, and I think we’re better than that. I hope everyone rallies around humane working conditions, for all people, everywhere.
LisaĀ“s last blog post ..Rocksbox Redux – Defining What Isn’t Our Personal Style With Help From Friends And Family
thank you, lisa, for nudging me about it š
i’m patiently waiting now for your “made in China” post!
Well-put, Lisa! I think you and Grechen both make some very valuable points. Bottom line: A better world for all!
Gretchen, ever since I’ve started following your blog (pretty faithfully for about seven months now) I think you’ve made me more conscious of my own closet. I’ve pared back quite a bit, although still not as much as I’d like. I’ve been trying to avoid fast fashion and don’t even look at Zara and H&M anymore, although I still have my Uniqlo habit–can’t resist the shirts and IDLF!
Most of all though, I’ve become aware of how much I really do consume, almost as a matter of course. Lately I’ve become aware of how perfectionism seems to tie into this: the perfect crossbody bag, the one I’m convinced will solve all my travel needs, goes on sale at Bloomingdale’s and click–in the cart, on its way to me. I find the perfect boots, not on sale but they’re incredible and I’m worried that they will sell out because it’s a popular high end brand so click–into the cart it goes. And so on, and so on.
There’s an element of fear in this too–fear of not being perfect, fear of missing out. One of the first posts I read from you was the one you wrote about clothing not being armor. It was so true, so wise, and yet it’s something I don’t seem to have internalized yet. But I’m working on it!
Anyway, all this to say thank you for your honesty (which is why I check in every day) and for coming up with this challenge. I’ve loved reading your posts and the comments.
Oh I so identify with your comments. I would also add that as there is so much of my life I have no control of (illness etc) what I can control I do so with unrelenting perfectionism. It’s exhausting being me sometimes haha. Capsule wardrobes, meal plans & don’t get me started on my scarcity related bulk buying which contradicts my desire to live a more simple life. Gretchen did help me identify it was due to recent losses/traumas.
Definitely about control but also maybe for me a sort of false sense of problem solving. That is, the business trip with the difficult client would be almost solved with the perfect travel bag and capsule wardrobe. The presentation I’m anxious about will be fine with the right shoes. And so on. Of course this isn’t rational and I don’t really believe it, except a little part of me does, you know?
wow…i do the same thing…less now that i realized what i was doing, after i went through the loss of my dog, but i still need something new every time i travel. or think i do. as if it will protect me somehow. or shield me from whatever may come. perhaps other people have other rituals? and we just use clothing? and accessories? it’s so interesting to think about/realize the coping mechanisms we all use to get through life…
Wow. That’s so true. I bought a new handbag before my hubby’s very scary surgery & it gave me the strength to make it though a week sitting in high dependency unit. I managed to stay calm & serene hanging onto my bag for dear life!
Thanks for doing this, Grechen! I’ve really started trying to focus on how to be a more conscious leather consumer. I don’t have an ideological opposition to leather (I love leather!) but it would be better for me to know more about how it’s being harvested. Thanks to your blog, I’ve noticed more of my favorite sites (cough, Madewell) list their goods as “imported.” I assume this means from China. Since I don’t know much about their leather practices, I’ve challenged myself to only buy leather goods when I know where the leather is coming from, or to recycle leather pieces from eBay, Crossroads, etc.
I have been going through my “stuff” for the last couple of weeks and I am disgusted! I have way more than I could ever wear, and some things I haven’t even worn yet anyway. I think of all that money that could have benefited someone else. It’s been keeping me from shopping lately.
such a great point!! i didn’t start to think about this really until i was reading about Jerome Dreyfuss’ bags (I have an obsession) and learned about vegetable tanning, which is much more eco-friendly than the alternatives. this hasn’t made me pay more attention to my leather goods though, sadly, which is another thing i’d like to work on. i’d also like to know more about hides used for shoes vs. bags, and if they’re from the same animals used for food production.
i’ve always trended towards vegetarian/vegan even though i don’t always practice it, so i am concerned about animal welfare and am always in favor of using all of the animal when possible – no waste makes me “feel” better. of course secondhand leather is the best idea of all…
don’t beat yourself up about it though…just take it as a lesson and let the pieces you haven’t worn yet teach you something about why you bought them, and then why you haven’t worn them. as marie kondo says, thank them for what they have taught you, and let them go if it’s time, and you will feel more free. just don’t make the same mistakes again š
This is a great challenge! I have found that I tend to buy the same thing over and over again – how many black a-line skirts does a girl need!? I do like a second hand bargain and although I’m am quite pleased at some of the gems I have unearthed, I have a tendancy to get blinded by labels and buy an ill fitting or ugly piece because it’s “designer” – totally defeating the purpose of saving money! I’m looking forward to culling my wardrobe back and having a break from buying new pieces for a while. I need to focus on a bit of weight loss so I can fit some of my favourite outfits and have a less chaotic wardrobe/life. Thank you for the inspiration.
Alana CopeĀ“s last blog post ..DREAM OF CALIFORNICATION
I have spent a lot of time during this week thinking about how to have a “uniform” and not get bored with wearing the same thing over and over. I work in an academic setting and have noticed how many of my co-workers have chosen to wear a certain limited rotation of clothes. or often wear only inexpensive black garments. I have so many clothes (it’s embarrassing!) and I need to cut back on my acquisitions.
My goal since the beginning of the year has been to buy ONLY things I need and also to focus on buying things that benefit other people and not just me (as, in spending money for a series at the Pilates studio in lieu of buying more clothes) and only making purchases to replace things that wear out.
I’ve done OK. I had to do a lot of shopping last year to replace basics after I lost 35 lbs. and I spend a lot of time reassuring myself that it’s OK to have only 2 pairs of jeans that fit, because they REALLY fit. I also intend to take some of the larger pairs to a tailor and have them tailored to fit me.
One big problem for me is getting rid of stuff that no longer fits my lifestyle but is “perfectly good” and “might” be useful someday. That one is really hard. I have been donating many of these things to a local organization, and will continue to do so.
It’s been inspiring to read people’s comments. I’ve learned a lot!
I decided to approach the challenge in these ways:
Education: I watched the documentary, Behind the Label: The Double Face of Indian Cotton. This led me to do additional research into the cotton industry as a whole. Obviously, organic cotton is the way to go. Yes, organic cotton costs more to me financially, but Iām willing to purchase fewer items to have a clearer conscience (and not bath my skin in pesticides!).
Self-reflection (aka, the closet walk of shame): Yep, guilty of making purchases for a life I donāt live, items purchased because they were a bargain, ill-fitting clothes, you get the point! This led to me listening to some podcasts by Tara Brach on happinessāenduring happiness does NOT come from things, but from experiences. I know this, but I need to do a better job of āliving my knowledgeā. So, I purged my closet of all my mistakes and missteps. There is not a lot left, but that is OK as I need time to dig deeper emotionally and figure out why I am experiencing some kind of ālackā in my life.
As for the issue of buying sale items, I am reminded of something my Aunt taught me long ago, āAsk yourself if you would pay full price for said item. If the answer is no, then donāt make the purchase!!
Thanks for such a though provoking week!
I’m going to try to be mindful of thrift shops–just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean I should take it home!